Beirut Is Still Hurting

The Middle East Council of Churches is here to help affected small businesses get back on their feet

Ten months after the Beirut port explosion, Lebanese people are still suffering from its catastrophic repercussions that turned their lives upside down during a mixture of crises, especially the economic crisis burdening them. Their wounds have not healed yet and their needs are still dire at many levels.

The August 4 disaster did not leave one sector untouched, destruction affected small companies in Beirut whose owners are barely making ends meet. They decided to stay in their homeland and not let the difficulties that surround them drive them away. Therefore, the Middle East Council of Churches continues to exert its efforts to help the largest possible number of Lebanese and Beirutis who have lost their property and sources of income. This time, by supporting them and continuing to rehabilitate their companies, such as severely damaged small restaurants, hair salons, small shops and dry cleaners... it is difficult for them to do all the restorations by themselves.

The Service and Relief Department - Diakonia, Beirut office, prepared a special program to support these small businesses and started implementing it in Beirut areas such as Ashrafieh, Gemayzeh, Mar Mikhael and Rmel... through the distribution of a new batch of needed tools and supplies to facilitate the workflow, for example, small restaurants got electrical tools such as refrigerators and ovens, hairdressing salons for women and men received the equipment required to carry out their services, and small shops got electronic scales and food portions...

This aid program was supported by the international humanitarian organizations Mennonite Central and MECC- Committee U.S. to be completed and achieved in future stages.

Following the Beirut port explosion, the Middle East Council of Churches launched two calls for relief and support for the affected groups and those affected by the difficult living conditions, and it continues to support them to this day.